Hal Smith to rebrand, reopen KD’s in September

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record July 25, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY – University of Denver professor HG Parsa said the changes underway at KD’s Southern Cuisine are more about the venue than the name.

Parsa has studied restaurant closures for 15 years and authored a four-part study on why eateries shut their doors.

“Usually, honestly, no one closes a restaurant because a player left,” he said. “I don’t buy that the restaurant is closing because Kevin Durant left.”

KD’s is owned and operated by Hal Smith Restaurant Group. Hal Smith told The Journal Record on July 13 – a week after Durant announced his plans to leave – that the restaurant’s sales were better than he expected. He said Durant’s plans hit him and his partners out of left field.

Smith said in a prepared statement that he is working on a new concept to replace KD’s, which sits east of the Harkins Theatre in Bricktown. He said the new restaurant will open after Labor Day, with a menu similar to its predecessor.

This is the second time that Hal Smith Restaurant Group has had to rebrand a celebrity-related eatery. In August 2015, the company changed Norman restaurant Big Dog Daddy’s Ice House to Toby’s American Grill.

Parsa said he thinks the situation at KD’s was not as positive as Smith said, and that the restaurant probably wasn’t doing well financially. A celebrity’s name accounts for only 20 percent of most restaurant sales, he said.

“The name brings people one time,” he said. “Otherwise, it’s the service, food, and ambience that brings them back.”

Parsa gave the example of Shanahan’s Steakhouse in Denver. The restaurant is named after former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan. He was fired from the team in 2008. The restaurant remains open.

Reviews on the website Yelp.com for KD’s were mixed. Some people praised the food, and other customers gave the restaurant low ratings because of the wait staff, the food quality, and because the experience did not match the price.

University of New Orleans professor David Njite said the rebranding and reopening should be a lesson to other restaurant operators. He said it’s too early in Durant’s career to name a restaurant after him, especially one in Oklahoma City.

“(Restaurant operators) need to wait until someone has a base,” he said. “KD’s a baby. He still has a career and place to go.”

Njite studies consumer behavior in the hospitality and tourism context. He said he can understand why the name is being changed. If people don’t like Durant, they will not visit the restaurant because of sentiment toward him.

He said he doesn’t think the restaurant failed. He said it’s a smart move in terms of reaching customers.

“When you do branding, you try to get to the peoples’ emotions,” he said. “When they have KD’s, people have hurt feelings. Closing down, I think was a good thing.”

This is the second time that Hal Smith Restaurant Group has had to rebrand a celebrity-related eatery. In August 2015, the company changed Norman restaurant Big Dog Daddy’s Ice House to Toby’s American Grill.

Forgetting Wes Welker's, which is a far more relevant comparison.

Interestingly, Pub W seems to be doing better than Welker's ever did. Hope it turns out the same for this restaurant, as feedback had been mixed long before KD left.

Hal Smith to rebrand, reopen KD’s in September

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record July 25, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY – University of Denver professor HG Parsa said the changes underway at KD’s Southern Cuisine are more about the venue than the name.

Parsa has studied restaurant closures for 15 years and authored a four-part study on why eateries shut their doors.

“Usually, honestly, no one closes a restaurant because a player left,” he said. “I don’t buy that the restaurant is closing because Kevin Durant left.”

KD’s is owned and operated by Hal Smith Restaurant Group. Hal Smith told The Journal Record on July 13 – a week after Durant announced his plans to leave – that the restaurant’s sales were better than he expected. He said Durant’s plans hit him and his partners out of left field.

Smith said in a prepared statement that he is working on a new concept to replace KD’s, which sits east of the Harkins Theatre in Bricktown. He said the new restaurant will open after Labor Day, with a menu similar to its predecessor.

This is the second time that Hal Smith Restaurant Group has had to rebrand a celebrity-related eatery. In August 2015, the company changed Norman restaurant Big Dog Daddy’s Ice House to Toby’s American Grill.

Parsa said he thinks the situation at KD’s was not as positive as Smith said, and that the restaurant probably wasn’t doing well financially. A celebrity’s name accounts for only 20 percent of most restaurant sales, he said.

“The name brings people one time,” he said. “Otherwise, it’s the service, food, and ambience that brings them back.”

Parsa gave the example of Shanahan’s Steakhouse in Denver. The restaurant is named after former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan. He was fired from the team in 2008. The restaurant remains open.

Reviews on the website Yelp.com for KD’s were mixed. Some people praised the food, and other customers gave the restaurant low ratings because of the wait staff, the food quality, and because the experience did not match the price.

University of New Orleans professor David Njite said the rebranding and reopening should be a lesson to other restaurant operators. He said it’s too early in Durant’s career to name a restaurant after him, especially one in Oklahoma City.

“(Restaurant operators) need to wait until someone has a base,” he said. “KD’s a baby. He still has a career and place to go.”

Njite studies consumer behavior in the hospitality and tourism context. He said he can understand why the name is being changed. If people don’t like Durant, they will not visit the restaurant because of sentiment toward him.

He said he doesn’t think the restaurant failed. He said it’s a smart move in terms of reaching customers.

“When you do branding, you try to get to the peoples’ emotions,” he said. “When they have KD’s, people have hurt feelings. Closing down, I think was a good thing.”

No offense to whomever posted it, but that's five minutes of my life I won't get back. Essentially a worthless article. Irrelevant academic insight into why KD leaving really wasn't why the namesake restaurant closed, which is absurd, then an equally unrelated comment about a coach-named restaurant in a different city, different sport staying open. I guess they gotta fill the column-inches somehow...

Yeah, this situation with KD is completely unprecedented in many ways.

I doubt their business only dropped 20% after his announcement.

Irrespective of the quality of the food/service, the KD brand is now toxic in OKC. They really had no choice. And the restaurant didn't "close" in the sense that the professor meant. It's not closing at all. It's specifically only a brand reboot;; heck they apparently intend on keeping much of the old menu.

He obviously has little insight into this particular situation.

A coach who won a ring for a city and who is later fired is a TERRIBLE comparison. Heck, if SCOTT BROOKS had partnered with someone here to open "Brooksie's Pub" or something like that, HIS place probably wouldn't have had to change the name when he was fired. People here still generally have a fondness for him.

The perception of OKC fans is that KD rejected them. No way could that brand survive here, even if they had previously been KILLING IT (and honestly, there often WERE lines out the door, immediately prior to his departure).

I've heard there is a very good chance this restaurant will be re-branded as 'Rumble's' and keep the most the Thunder memorabilia.

Also, my understanding is that they bought out KD's 20% share for around $1.6 million.

I wish I could get someone to pay me millions to go away!

Interesting. I assume that they'll have to pay a license fee to use Rumble... but from a tourist attraction it's probably better to be affiliated with Thunder still vs. not.

Out-of-towners are going to love a Rumble restaurant. Safe move.

Heard a rumor they were considering turning this into another Pub W, but Rumble's would definitely make sense.

KDs is too big to be turned into a Pub W type place. I was just at the Memorial Rd. store last night. Also, if they plan on keeping much of the menu the same, it will NOT be Pub W. My bet is on Rumble's, or Legacy Grill.

They spent a fortune on the interior and certainly don't want to pull a lot of it out, and it's far too nice for a Pub W in my opinion.

It's not a great location in my opinion. It's kind of off the beaten path a bit and doesn't get the foot traffic that other areas of Bricktown get. I think whatever goes in this location needs a local or national brand to be successful. I'm not sure Rumble's will resonate the same way KD's did. Kevin Durant is a global brand and when people came to OKC they wanted a piece of that. That draw is gone now. The interior is great though so I hope they figure out something that works.

Pappadeaux would be so dope in this spot!!

Pappadeaux would be so dope in this spot!!

Agreed! I actually think that would be the perfect type of establishment for this spot (with the exception that the interior decor would probably have to be re-done).

Unfortunately HSRG doesn't own Pappas Restaurant Group.

Are there any Pappadeaux's in urban areas? Is Bubba Gump Shrimp owned by Pappa's? If so, they have urban Bubba Gump restaurants I have seen.

Bricktown would be great for a Bubba Gump Shrimp and a White Castle similar to the one in Las Vegas. If I ever get rich, I will make that happen.

Someone wanna get Tillman Fertita on the horn for this space?

Yes, there is a Pappadeaux's in Arlington, Texas which is a Dallas suburb and a fairly urban area. However, I am not sure if the Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurant is owned by Pappas Restaurant Group. According to the Pappas Restaurant website, Bubba Gumps is not listed as one of their concepts. Also, the building is owned by HSRG (Hal Smith), and in general they do not sell their properties to other operators.

By urban I mean in a downtown type walkable area. I haven't been to the one Arlington.

The one in Arlington is actually kind of sad and run down. It is actually near Six Flags or the stadium or both in the Arlington area. But, that isn't going to happen, anyways... Hal Smith owns the property of the former KD's and it appears they are going to try a "fan favorites," kind of restaurant, capitalizing on southern fried chicken and the former KD bestsellers.

Bubba Gumps is owned by the Landry's chain.

Guys, this isn't a failed restaurant. There is no reason to sell. I also don't get the obsession here to make it a Thunder-related brand. Yeah, it's a hit to lose the KD affiliation, but I'm not sure replacing it with a different Thunder theme will bring back the customers that were previously coming because they wanted to eat at KD's restaurant.

HSRG has plenty of other brands to choose from - all successful - or could tweak a brand slightly, or could create a new brand altogether. This is something at which they're actually pretty good. Honestly, I think some sort of twist on Red Rock would be a great fit. But who knows? All I DO know is that they won't be selling to a national brand.

Yes, there is a Pappadeaux's in Arlington, Texas which is a Dallas suburb and a fairly urban area. However, I am not sure if the Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurant is owned by Pappas Restaurant Group. According to the Pappas Restaurant website, Bubba Gumps is not listed as one of their concepts. Also, the building is owned by HSRG (Hal Smith), and in general they do not sell their properties to other operators.
I could be wrong, but he doesn't own the building does he? Just leases the space? I could be off on that, but regardless I agree he is not going to sell or give up his lease.

Hogan owns the KD's buildiing.

Interestingly, Hal Smith owns the Toby Keith building.

I'm not worried about what's going to replace KD's. I only ever purchased a gift card from there and never ate there nor do I regret the decision. While it may have been a tourism draw, it's not like it's the go to destination in Bricktown or downtown for that matter.

Bump. Any word yet on the new concept which will replace this? Brianna Bailey reported HSRG would release the new name/concept this month.

Heard that it will be in fact called Legacy Grill as suspected here. The concept won't change much and the "legacy" will focus on athletes close to Oklahlma.

Yep, Legacy Grill it is:



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/legacy.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/legacy2.jpg

Maybe this has been answered, but is KD still going to have an ownership stake in it?

Maybe this has been answered, but is KD still going to have an ownership stake in it?

He is being or has already been bought out.

It was a big chunk of money.

Maybe this has been answered, but is KD still going to have an ownership stake in it?
No, his minority interest was bought out.

Too bad he didn't own the restaurant 100%. Would be nice to see him take a huge loss from an empty restaurant.

He is being or has already been bought out.

It was a big chunk of money.

Something they may consider is telling people this. I have a feeling some may not go to it thinking he still owns part of it, simply because they don't want to put a dime in his pocket.

From legacygrill.com (elsewhere on the front page is the date of September 12th):

"OPENING IN SEPTEMBER

Hal Smith Restaurants is headquartered right here in central Oklahoma. We’ve always had a dream of adding a restaurant to our family that honors the contributions of great Oklahomans.

Starting in September, join us at Legacy Grill for top-notch cuisine, a relaxed, service-oriented atmosphere and an ambience that surrounds you with artifacts commemorating more than 200 past and present Oklahoma greats, from astronauts and actors, to civil rights activists and civic leaders, to sports stars and singers, and many more.

We’ve made a few updates to our menu to help keep things exciting. (Don’t worry – our famous fried chicken isn’t going anywhere!) Seven days a week, whether you’re in the mood for fried or fresh, we know you’ll find something you love at Legacy Grill."

Something they may consider is telling people this. I have a feeling some may not go to it thinking he still owns part of it, simply because they don't want to put a dime in his pocket.

Yeah, that's my thought at the moment. Although whatever stake he had (or might still have) is small potatoes to him.

Whatever his legacy will or will not be in OKC, it ain't this grill.

Something they may consider is telling people this. I have a feeling some may not go to it thinking he still owns part of it, simply because they don't want to put a dime in his pocket.

"Hi, welcome to Legacy Grill. That snake Kevin Durant is not an owner of this restaurant. How many in your group?"

"Hi, welcome to Legacy Grill. That snake Kevin Durant is not an owner of this restaurant. How many in your group?"
Dammit! Where's that like button!

I think it'll be more like HSRG is going to make a killing cause people don't want to put a dime in his pocket.

Yeah, that's my thought at the moment. Although whatever stake he had (or might still have) is small potatoes to him.

I believe a story ran fairly recently that his entire interest in the place was bought out.

He. Has. Been. Exorcised.

I think it'll be more like HSRG is going to make a killing cause people don't want to put a dime in his pocket.

And I find it interesting that it is *not* a sports-themed place now. "Legacy" covering a *lot* of bases in OK history - neat idea.

Believe it or not, I will now be more likely to go.

I never set foot in KD's and there are very few places in OKC where that is the case.

I was a bit turned off by the attempt at upscale while combining with a basketball player... Weird combo IMO. And the "baller menu" only enhanced those feelings.

Now, I think Hal & Co. will work their usual magic and get the kinks out of the menu and have the theme more aligned with the price points and setting. I also think the changes will make it a better place to take visitors.

And I find it interesting that it is *not* a sports-themed place now. "Legacy" covering a *lot* of bases in OK history - neat idea.

Maybe if we're really lucky Brad Pitt and Chuck Norris will play along. Me, I want to sit at the Owen K Garriott table.

So what defines an 'Oklahoma Great'? Is it just people who were born here, or people who have made Oklahoma their home? Ronnie Kaye wasn't born in Oklahoma, but he has a history here. On the flip side, Sam Walton was born in Kingfisher, but absolutely nobody thinks of Oklahoma when they hear his name.

Believe it or not, I will now be more likely to go.

I never set foot in KD's and there are very few places in OKC where that is the case.

I was a bit turned off by the attempt at upscale while combining with a basketball player... Weird combo IMO. And the "baller menu" only enhanced those feelings.

Now, I think Hal & Co. will work their usual magic and get the kinks out of the menu and have the theme more aligned with the price points and setting. I also think the changes will make it a better place to take visitors.

Exact same for me.

I noticed yesterday on FB that there were a couple comments asking about ownership, because if he still owned they wouldn't go there. Might be in their best interest to issue a press release with "details" one of which could be that ownership is changed or been shifted. I think once people figure it out though it will be a big hit. Good location IMO.

From a reviews standpoint, the "baller menu" positively affected the restaurant. When conceived the reviews indicated it was sub par nothing special. Granted that took a dive when he left.

So what defines an 'Oklahoma Great'? Is it just people who were born here, or people who have made Oklahoma their home?

What about Oklahoma Hall of Famers? Er, wait...

Legacy Grill officially opens today...

http://kfor.com/2016/09/12/legacy-grill-formerly-kds-officially-opens-to-the-public/

I checked the menu and they deleted the BBQ chicken that I always enjoyed. I won't be going there now.

Here is the menu.

For those who know, has it changed much?

http://www.legacygrill.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/LegacyGrill-Menu_9.5x15.5_Red199.pdf

Like I said above, no BBQ chicken. I am significantly disappointed and won't be returning there.

[QUOTE=OK BBQ Eater Anonymous;966898]Legacy Grill officially opens today...

Meh.

Here is the menu.

For those who know, has it changed much?


Doesn't seem like it....

https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kds-oklahoma-city-2?tab=menu

^

Thanks.

Yes, not much change at all.

Looks like they just dropped the Baller menu and apparently someones favorite BBQ Chicken.

What are the chances KD took his BBQ Chicken recipe with him? Can't believe they would drop the BBQ Chicken otherwise. Ive heard from several sources that the BBQ Chicken was the only reason they would go. Count me in as one who won't be frequenting this establishment without KD's delicious BBQ Chicken.

I believe the phone number is (405) 701-3535. (When I say believe, I mean I confirmed it by calling.) If you really feel that strongly about the BBQ chicken, I am quite certain they would appreciate the feedback.

Can we change that number so that it ends with 0000?

I believe the phone number is (405) 701-3535.


Can we change that number so that it ends with 0000?

Ok... that actually made me laugh out loud!

I never went to the place but this BBQ Chicken must have been the greatest thing on the planet based on the replies.